SITUATION UPDATE

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 1

May 17, 2017 - 8:30 p.m.

SEVERE WEATHER IMPACTS STATE

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) remains activated due to the effects of severe weather and the threat for continued severe weather this week. OEM is in contact with emergency managers in the affected areas and are coordinating with agencies and organizations including the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma Insurance Department, National Weather Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief and the Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

STATE OF EMERGENCY

A State of Emergency remains in effect for all 77 Oklahoma counties due to severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and snow that began April 29. Under the Executive Order, state agencies can make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to expedite the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions. The declaration also marks a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary and may be extended for an additional 30 days if needed.

INJURIES & FATALITIES

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reports a 53-year-old male died in Beckham County as a result of the storm.

Oklahoma State Department of Health reports 4 storm-related injuries have been treated at area hospitals, including:

Cut/Pierce – 2

Fall – 1

Struck by or Against – 1

Oklahoma State Department of Health has provided 15 Tetanus Shots.

LOCAL REPORTS

Beckham County Emergency Management reports more than 100 homes affected by the storms. Damage assessments are ongoing.

Beaver County Emergency Management reports no damage occurred from a tornado that touched down near Balko.

Custer County Emergency Management reports no damage occurred in Clinton or Butler from storms that passed through that area yesterday.

Major County Emergency Management reports one home was damaged in yesterday’s storm and is uninhabitable due to flood damage.

MASS CARE

The American Red Cross reports one shelter is open at First Baptist Church at 1600 W. Country Club Blvd. in Elk City.

The Salvation Army has a feeding unit in Elk City providing snacks, hydration and emotional and spiritual care.

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief is providing a feeding station and chainsaw teams to assist with large debris.

Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry reports the Oklahoma Large Animal First Responders have been requested to assist with the treatment of livestock injuries near Elk City.

POWER OUTAGES

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports 2,180 power outages statewide. At the height of the storm, there were more than 9,000 outages.

PSO - Total: 485

Largest outage areas Elk City area (includes Hobart, Sayre): 285

Tulsa Southeast (includes Bixby, Broken Arrow, Wagoner): 177

Tulsa Northeast: 23

Tulsa Northwest:16

OG&E - Total: 568

Oklahoma City: 412

Midwest City: 63

Dickson: 93

Northfork Electric Cooperative - Total: 624

Beckham County: 262

Roger Mills County: 96

Washita County: 266

Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative - Total: 251

Delaware County: 70

Mayes County: 2

Ottawa County: 179

Tri-County Electric Cooperative – Total: 225

Texas County: 225

Verdigris Valley Electric Cooperative - Total: 12

Osage County: 1

Rogers County: 10

Tulsa County: 1

HOW TO HELP

When disaster strikes, the best way to support survivors of emergencies or disasters in Oklahoma is with cash donations to reputable voluntary organizations. Cash donations allow relief organizations or survivors to purchase what they need, when and where they need it. Buying supplies locally helps the local community recover by helping local businesses pay salaries and by keeping tax revenues in the community.

Do not send unsolicited donations of used clothing, miscellaneous items or perishable foods, which must be sorted, warehoused, transported and distributed. This requires more efforts and staffing to manage those resources and takes away from recovery efforts. If you must donate in-kind goods, make certain that they are specifically requested and needed by recognized organizations.

DIAL 211

For Oklahoma residents seeking non-emergency disaster or health and human service information, please contact your local 2-1-1. Services are available 24 hours a day by dialing 2-1-1 from your home or cellular telephone. Please only call 911 for emergencies.